Booster Law

Why has the UK Booster Seat law changed?

Research shows adult belts are best for people over 150cms in height. The Government surveys show that 75% of children are using adult seatbelts without the necessary booster seat. This means they are not tall enough for the belt to cross their body at the appropriate and safe place. The lap part of the belt needs to be as low as possible in order to avoid internal injuries in the event of an accident. Also straps across the neck can present obvious danger. Therefore children need to be raised or boosted from the normal seat height.

The European Union put in place new seat belt legislation (Directive 2003/20/EC) some time ago that the UK should have been brought its laws in line with. We are over 4 months late in implementing our changes to comply with this legislation, we should have completed this by May 2006.

Will there be any further changes to the law?

After May 2008 all baby and child car safety seats must at least meet UN ECE regulation 44.03, but preferably the more recent standard 44.04. From May ’08 onwards all seats must be marked with the E symbol and the numbers 44.03, 03 or 04.

Are there any exceptions to the UK Booster Laws?

The rules state all children under the age of three must use an appropriate child restraint in any vehicle (the only exception being emergency vehicles and taxis where an appropriate restraint is not available.

In this instance under three’s should travel unrestrained in the rear of the taxi. Over 3’s should be restrained in the rear using the adult seatbelts).

There are three instances in which a child over 3 yrs and under 135cm in height may be allowed to travel in the rear of a vehicle using an adult belt. They are:

• When using a taxi
• When making an occasional journey over a short distance .The journey should be an unforeseen emergency, so this would not include the school run.
• Where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third seat (a third child, if over the age of three, may use an adult belt or better still, travel in the front of the vehicle with an appropriate child restraint)
• In older vehicles that have no seatbelts fitted children from 3 to 12 can travel in the rear seat. The Department of Transport are keen to stress that this is not safe.
• Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police cars

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You'll be suprised just how cheap we have Booster Seats listed for, you could have peace of mind from buying a spare seat for very little cost..